as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated
Helen of Troy was supposedly the quintessential beauty of the ancient world
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Recent Examples of quintessential
The former second overall pick out of Duke has become the quintessential journeyman.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Roanoke is the quintessential outdoorsy city, tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with access to the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026
Flying cars – the quintessential technology used by pop culture to portray a distant future.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
This quintessential Midwestern native (Echinacea purpurea) remarkably adapts to changing weather by growing shorter in drought conditions and taller in more ideal conditions.
—Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quintessential
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Roanoke is the quintessential outdoorsy city, tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with access to the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026
Flying cars – the quintessential technology used by pop culture to portray a distant future.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
This quintessential Midwestern native (Echinacea purpurea) remarkably adapts to changing weather by growing shorter in drought conditions and taller in more ideal conditions.
—Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quintessential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quintessential
Adjective
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Beachy handbags, light jackets, classic pearls, chunky boots—your choice of accompaniments can take things from romantic to edgy to eclectic.—
Kelsey Stiegman,
Glamour,
28 Apr. 2026
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Many vintage fashion enthusiasts and Lilly Pulitzer collectors specifically seek out white label pieces for their classic prints, silhouettes, and legacy value.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The White House correspondents will also hand out awards for exemplary reporting.—
David Bauder,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Over in Audubon Park, same date, same time, Mellow Market will be holding things down on the corner of East Winter Park Road and Corrine Drive, steps from Stardust Coffee & Film, and nearby strongholds like East End Market, The Salty and the exemplary Coro restaurant.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The breezy material is perfect for keeping cool during the day, yet dressy enough to pair with sandals and a slinky top for an evening out.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
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Set yourself up for summer entertaining with this rearrangeable option that fits up to six people, or snag a dining table and stools that a reviewer said are perfect for al fresco meals.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But beyond that, this conflict has a dramatic, even archetypal, quality to it, pitting polar opposites against each other.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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Billy Idol, their frontman, was a member of the Bromley Contingent, an influential cluster of Pistols acolytes on the early punk scene, alongside Siouxsie Sioux and the archetypal model Soo Catwoman.—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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State Republican lawmakers didn’t offer definitive assessments of the map on Monday.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
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The story behind sports’ most universal gesture is a genuine historical mystery with at least two credible origin claims, a handful of murkier ones and no definitive answer.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Soft white sand, clear waters and excellent surf draw beachgoers to this vast beach.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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This makes buffalo grass an excellent choice for naturally controlling soil erosion.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Quintessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quintessential. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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